DUNEDIN, FLA. - Something quite astonishing happened at the conclusion of Ricky Romero’s first live batting practice session of the spring.

He smiled.

“It was really good to see him smile again,” said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. “I haven’t seen that in a long time. I thought he looked different. He worked quickly, had nice rhythm, threw strikes and missed some bats.”

Of all the candidates looking to earn a spot in Toronto’s starting rotation, the name you have heard the least is Romero’s. That’s how far off the baseball map he has fallen. Even his early bullpen sessions were somewhat erratic this past week, but on Sunday he looked more like his old self.

“There hasn’t been a lot to smile about,” said Romero. “It was a step in the right direction. We’ve been working hard at it and watching video with Pete (Walker, the pitching coach) and Steamer (Bob Stanley, the bullpen coach). It was pretty good but obviously it’s still something that we’re working on.”